In Pictures: Puerto Rico pummeled by Hurricane Maria

In Pictures: Puerto Rico pummeled by Hurricane Maria

Puerto Rico took a direct hit from Hurricane Maria on Wednesday Sept 20th making it the strongest hurricane to hit Puerto Rico in over 80 years. The Category 4 storm pounded the island causing massive destruction to property and knocking out power across the entire island. There are flash flood warnings in effect while several areas are already underwater.

With 100 percent of the islands power offline, authorities are estimating it may take at least 6 months to restore power. Residents and authorities continue to survey the damage and try to clear the streets from uprooted trees as they try to reach other parts of the island.

Hurricane Maria hit the Dominican Republic yesterday and is now moving toward Turks and Caicos and the Bahamas.

The following are some of scenes from Puerto Rico in the aftermath of yet another devastating hurricane to hit the Caribbean.

A woman tries to walk out from her house after the area was hit by Hurricane Maria in Salinas, Puerto Rico.

Carlos Garcia Rawlins | Reuters

Three men walk between downed power lines in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in Luquillo, Puerto Rico.

Ricardo Arduengo | AFP | Getty Images

A woman looks at the damages in the neighbour's house after the area was hit by Hurricane Maria in Salinas, Puerto Rico.

Carlos Garcia Rawlins | Reuters

People are pictured stuck in a jam on a expressway blocked by a flooded river after the area was hit by Hurricane Maria in Yauco, Puerto Rico.

Carlos Garcia Rawlins | Reuters

The day after Hurricane Maria made a direct hit on Puerto Rico, residents of Isla Palmeras, a neighborhood in San Juan, are surrounded by water.

Carolyn Cole | Los Angeles Times | Getty Images

A man walks before a fallen tree in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in Fajardo, Puerto Rico.

Ricardo Arduengo | AFP | Getty Images

A dog looks out of a house flooded by Hurricane Maria, in Catano town, Juana Matos, Puerto Rico.

Hector Retamal | AFP | Getty Images

Toys are seen in a damaged house after the area was hit by Hurricane Maria in Guayama, Puerto Rico.

Carlos Garcia Rawlins | Reuters

A man walks past a house laying in flood water in Catano town, in Juana Matos, Puerto Rico.

Hector Retamal | AFP | Getty Images

People walk next to a gas station flooded and damaged by the impact of Hurricane Maria, which hit the eastern region of the island, in Humacao, Puerto Rico.

Carlos Giusti | AP

Electricity poles and lines lay toppled on the road after Hurricane Maria hit the eastern region of the island, in Humacao, Puerto Rico. Power has been knocked out across the entire island.

Carlos Giusti | AP

Damages are seen in a supermarket after the area was hit by Hurricane Maria in Guayama, Puerto Rico.

Carlos Garcia Rawlins | Reuters

Rescue workers help a woman to get into the Emergency Operation Center after the area was hit by Hurricane Maria in Guayama.

Carlos Garcia Rawlins | Reuters

A woman reacts while she looks at the damages to her mother's house after the area was hit by Hurricane Maria in Guayama.

Carlos Garcia Rawlins | Reuters

Damaged electrical installations are seen after the area was hit by Hurricane Maria.

Carlos Garcia Rawlins | Reuters

Agapito Lopez looks at the damage in his house in Guayama, Puerto Rico.

Carlos Garcia Rawlins | Reuters

A man runs on the street next to debris and damaged cars after the area was hit by Hurricane Maria.

Carlos Garcia Rawlins | Reuters

A man surveys a damaged house in Guayama, Puerto Rico.

Carlos Garcia Rawlins | Reuters

A man clears brush from the street near Ponce de Leon Street in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Pablo Pantoja | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images

Plaza Colon is covered in fallen trees after Hurricane Maria at Old San Juan in San Juan, Puerto Rico.